Bathtub wrapper structure

ABSTRACT

A bathtub wrapper structure and end panel therefor in which the end panel consists of two or more layers of paperboard or the like in side-by-side relation. The sections are joined to one another by a hinge means which permits the sections to be folded in such a manner as to adapt the end panel for use at either end of the bathtub wrapper. One section may be shorter than the other and form a recessed upper edge for engaging the upper flange of the tub and supporting the tub in the wrapper structure. Tabs may be provided on the front edge of one or more of the panel sections and on the upper edge of one of the sections for forming cushions along the front and the top of the tub.

United States Patent Smith [451 Aug. 1,1972

[54] BATHTUB WRAPPER STRUCTURE [72] Inventor: Richard K. Smith, 4150-35Ridge Rd., Benton Harbor, Mich. 49127 22 Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 21Appl.No.:101,474

52 us. Cl. ...206/46 H [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 85/00 [58] Field of Search..206/46 H, 46 FN; 229/23 R, 229/37 E [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,932,438 4/ 1960 Smith ..206/46 FN X 3,099,351 7/ 1 963Coffey, Jr. ..206/46 H 3,289,825 12/1966 Smith ..206/46 H 3,386,5676/1968 Smith ..206/46 H 3,486,612 12/ l 969 Kivell ..206/46 H Smith..206/46 H Primary Examiner--M. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Thomas C. Culp, Jr. Attorney-Hobbs & Green and Kemon,Palmer & Estabrook [5 7] ABSTRACT A bathtub wrapper structure and endpanel therefor in which the end panel consists of two or more layers ofpaperboard or the like in side-by-side relation. The sections are joinedto one another by a hinge means which permits the sections to be foldedin such a manner as to adapt the end panel for use at either end of thebathtub wrapper. One section may be shorter than the other and form arecessed upper edge for engaging the upper flange of the tub andsupporting the tub in the wrapper structure. Tabs may be provided on thefront edge of one or more of the panel sections and on the upper edge ofone of the sections for forming cushions along the front and the top ofthe tub.

14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAuc" 1 m2 3.680.688

sum 1 or 4 [.NVENTOR. RICH/7RD K. SMITH I: llitlllIl Iil l ATTORNEYSPAIENTEDwc 1 m2 sum 2 or 4 Hill? INVENTOR. RICHARD K. SM/T I j IATTORNEYS- BATHTUB WRAPPER STRUCTURE Paperboard wrappers have beenextensively used for packaging and shipping of bathtubs and havegenerally been satisfactory in withstanding normal handling; however,the early shipping wrappers sometimes lacked adequate strength for heavytubs, such as those made of cast iron, to permit stacking of the wrappedtubs, particularly when they were stacked several high and/or stood onend. In order to overcome the deficiencies of the simple wrappers,various structures have been used to reinforce the wrappers, such asseveral layers or folds of the same material as the wrappers. A morerecent development has involved the use of wood reinforcing membersforming generally a configuration corresponding to the transversecross-section of the tub. These wooden reinforcing structures, such asthose disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,744, have givensatisfactory performance; however, they have been rather expensive andinconvenient to use, store and handle, and have required a separatepanel or insert for closing the end within the reinforcing structure.Further, separate pads or cushions of paperboard have often beenrequired in order to protect the ends, edges and comers of the packagedtub. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the presentinvention to provide a bathtub wrapper structure having essentiallysolid paperboard end members which are so constructed and designed thatthey can be used equally as well at either end of the tub, and whichinclude a single structure the features which give support andprotection to the tub and rigidity and strength to the final wrapperstructure.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end panel for bathtubwrappers which is constructed of multiple layers of paperboard, one ofwhich is designed and constructed to support the adjacent end of the tuband the other of which forms the outside wall of the panel, regardlessof on which end the panel is used in the wrapper package.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bathtub wrapperend panel having integral tabs forming padding for the one or more edgeson the end of the tub which can be folded in either one of twodirections to adapt the padding to either end of the tub wrapper, andwhich can be varied during fabrication to adapt the ends to differenttub construction and design and to different types of wrappers.

A further object is to provide a bathtub wrapper and end panel thereforwhich fully encloses and protects the end of the tub and provides aneffective hand slot for assisting in lifting and moving the packagedtub, and the end panel of which is easily fabricated, stored and used,and gives maximum protection with a minimum of weight.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a wrapper and tub, showing the tub in apartially wrapped condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical cross sectional view taken on line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one end of the tub wrapper, in which the panelis shown in the position in which it is cut from paperboard material;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the end panel, showing itin the same position as the one shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view through a portion of a tub andthe end panel of FIG. 4 in its folded position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an end panel showing a further modified formembodying the present concept;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified end panel similar to that shown inFIG. 6, illustrating a further modification;

FIG. 8 is another view of a tub and wrapper, illustrating the manner inwhich the end panel of FIG. 6 is utilized in the package structure;

FIG. 9 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view of the wrapper andtub illustrated in FIG. 8, the section being taken on line 9-9 of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the tub andwrapper structure shown in FIG. 9, the section being taken on line 10-10of the latter figure; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view showing an end panel supportstructure.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular,numeral 10 designates generally a conventional bathtub, 12 a wrapperbody portion having top and bottom panels 14 and 16, and side panels 18and 20, the four sides being connected to form a single sheet whichreaches fully around the tub. The tub l0, ready for inclosure by thewrapper, as illustrated in the drawings, consists of a body portion 22,front apron 24, and ends 26 and 27, the tub being consideredconventional in construction and normally formed of sheet metal or castiron and covered with porcelain, enamel or other protective anddecorative finish on the front of apron 24, on the inside surface of thebody, and along the upper peripheral surfaces thereof. The tub shown inthe drawings is of the type normally used for homes, motels, hotels, andmobile homes. The wrapper body is placed around the tub and secured bysecuring tab 28 on panel 18 to the margin of panel 14.

The end edges of the panels forming the wrapper are provided with tabs29 which fold inwardly when the wrapper is secured in place, as will bemore fully described hereinafter. A score line is preferably providedthroughout substantially the full length of the line of juncture betweenpanels and between the tabs on the respective panels, in order tofacilitate folding on the desired line.

The end panels, such as those illustrated at numerals 30 and 32 in FIG.1, are shown in their cut and unfolded positions in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7.In the use of the end panel of FIG. 3, sections 34 and 36 are foldedalong score line or cut 38, placing the backs of the two panels incontact with one another. In this embodiment panel section 34 issomewhat narrower than panel 36, thereby providing a recessed upper edgeas illustrated in FIG. 2. The panel is assembled in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 1, with the folded portion at the bottom and theupper edge of panel 34 on the inside so that the upper edge 40 thereofwill engage the underside of flange 42 and support the respective end ofthe tub. The type of cut 38 shown provides integral hinges 43 and 44 sothat the two panels may be folded easily in either direction toward oneanother to adapt the panel to either end as illustrated in FIG. 2. Afterthe panel has been assembled at the end of the tub, tab 46 is foldedinwardly over the tub apron to protect the front face of the apron andrespective edges thereof, the tab 46 being connected tosection 36 byhinges 48 and 50 to permit the tab to be easily folded inwardlyregardless of the end on which the panel is used. In order to facilitatehandling of the tub, hand slots 52 formed by openings 54 and 56insections 34 and 36 are preferably provided.

The panel illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3, andhence like numerals will be used for like parts; however, in FIG. 4 thepanel is provided with a third section 60 which forms a double end wallpanel for giving additional strength to the wrapper to permit stackingof the wrapped tub without any likelihood of the packages collapsing andperhaps the tub being damaged. Section 60 is connected to the long edge62 of section 36 by hinges 64 and 66, the two integral hinges permittingsection 60 to fold in either direction to adapt the panel to either endof the tub in themanner previously described herein.

The panel shown in FIG. 6, while similar to those shown in FIGS. 3 and4, contains in addition a plurality of tabs 71, 72, 73 and74 connectedat score lines 75 to one another and to section 76 at score line or cut78. Section 76 is likewise connected to section 80 at a score line 82which may be in the form illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, consisting of aplurality of hinges with intervening cut portions. Section 76 isprovided with a tab 84 which can be folded in either direction over theapron depending upon which" end of the tub the wrapper is used on. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 withthe exception that a second tab 86 is provided for folding over tab 84,thus giving a double thickness cushion for protection the tub apron andadjacent corners. The manner in which the tabs 71, 72,- 73 and 74 areused is illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and in which the tabs are shown foldedone upon the other to form a cushion structure 90. This cushionprotects'the upper edge of the tub and gives additional strength to theedges of the wrapper at the opposite ends of the tub and at therespective corners. The number of tabs'which form cushion 90 may bevaried. to satisfy requirements. Sections 76 and 80 of the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 contain openings 92 and 94 for forming ahand slot 96 in each of the end panels, and along with the tabs, can befolded in either direction toadapt the end panels to either end of thetub wrapper. In the use of the present wrapper and the new end panelconstruction, the body portion of the wrapper is laid flat on asupporting surface and the tub is placed thereon in the mannerillustrated in' FIGS. 1 and 8, and the end panels of any one of theembodiments illustrated herein are then inserted "side surface of endpanels 30 and 32 and are secured thereto by staples or other suitablesecuring means.

'When the tabs are secured in place in the manner just described, a firmpackage is provided for the tub, which tub in the package to prevent itfrom being damaged by the weight of other tub packages thereon.

In order to give the lower comer of the end support to prevent it frombeing pushed inwardly, an abutment formed by a tab 100 is formed by cuts102 and 104, shown best in FIG. 11. The intervening piece is pushedinwardly to form the tab abutment. Thus the end panel has solid supportat all four corners, i.e. three supported by the end of the tub flangesand the fourth supported by tab 100.

The body portion and end panels are preferably constructed of paperboardof the corrugated type, although other materials may be used. Thepackage with end panels constructed of the double or triple paperboardsections is: adequately strong to permit stacking of several tubs orplacing the tubs on end for storage and shipping. The hinges between thepanel sections may be omitted and the sections joined by any othersuitable means to provide either the two or three layer end panels.

While a number of embodiments of end panels for tub wrappers have beendescribed in I detail herein, other modifications and variations may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim: 1

1. In a bathtub wrapperstructure having a body portion with panels forthe top, bottom and two sides: an end panel comprising two sections ofsubstantially the size of the openings at the ends of the body portion,

hinge means along one edge of said sections connecting the sectionstogether for folding to a side-by-side relation in either direction toadapt said end panel to either end ofthe body portion.

2. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid hinge means is disposed along the bottom edge of the two panels,and one of said panels is shorter than the other in the verticaldirection to provide an upper edge for engaging a flange on the bathtubto give support to the tub in the complete wrapper structure. 1 p

3. A panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in which a tab isprovided along the front edge of one of said sections, and hinge meansconnects said tab to said one section to permit the tab to fold inwardlyover the front of the bathtub.

4. An end panel as defined in claim 2-in which a tab is connected to thefront edge of the taller of the two sections, and hinge means connectssaid tab to said taller section for folding the tab inwardly along thefront of the tub to form a pad therefor.

5. An end panel as defined in claim 1 in which a third section is joinedto one of said first two sections, and hinge means connects said firstsection to said one section for folding along the side thereof to forman end panel of triple thickness.

6. An end panel as defined in claim 2 in which a third panel section isconnected to the taller of said first two sections and is foldable alongthe side of said taller section to form a panel having a triple wallthickness.

7. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in which aplurality of tabs are connected to the edge of one of said panelsopposite the said hinge means, and are foldable to form a cushion alongthe upper edge of said end wall for protecting the upper marginalsurface of the tub in the final wrapper structure.

8. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 3 in which atab is provided on the other of said sections along the correspondingedge thereof for forming a double thickness cushion along the front ofthe tub.

9. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 4 in which atab is provided on the shorter of said sections along the edgecorresponding to the edge of the taller section on which the tab islocated for forming a double thickness cushion along the front of thetub.

10. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid sections are constructed of paperboard.

1 1. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in whichopenings are provided in said panels for forming a hand slot in said endpanel when it is in its folded position.

12. In a bathtub wrapper structure: a body portion with top, bottom andtwo side panels, an end panel in each end of said body portioncomprising two sections of substantially the size of the openings at theend of the body portion, said sections being joined together inside-by-side relation and tabs on the ends of said top, bottom and sidepanels of the body portion extending over the edge of the end panels andbeing secured thereto.

13. A bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 12 in which a reinforcing tabpartially severed from the bottom and one side panel and extendinginwardly therefrom forms an abutment for one corner at each of said endpanels to prevent said comer from being pressed inwardly.

14. A bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 12 in which the inner sectionof each of said two end panels is shorter than the outer section and isadapted to engage a flange on the bathtub and give support to the tub inthe wrapper.

1. In a bathtub wrapper structure having a body portion with panels forthe top, bottom and two sides: an end panel comprising two sections ofsubstantially the size of the openings at the ends of the body portion,hinge means along one edge of said sections connecting the sectionstogether for folding to a sideby-side relation in either direction toadapt said end panel to either end of the body portion.
 2. An end panelfor a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in which said hinge means isdisposed along the bottom edge of the two panels, and one of said panelsis shorter than the other in the vertical direction to provide an upperedge for engaging a flange on the bathtub to give support to the tub inthe complete wrapper structure.
 3. A panel for a bathtub wrapper asdefined in claim 1 in which a tab is provided along the front edge ofone of said sections, and hinge means connects said tab to said onesection to permit the tab to fold inwardly over the front of thebathtub.
 4. An end panel as defined in claim 2 in which a tab isconnected to the front edge of the taller of the two sections, and hingemeans connects said tab to said taller section for folding the tabinwardly along the front of the tub to form a pad therefor.
 5. An endpanel as defined in claim 1 in which a third section is joined to one ofsaid first two sections, and hinge means connects said first section tosaid one section for folding along the side thereof to form an end panelof triple thickness.
 6. An end panel as defined in claim 2 in which athird panel section is connected to the taller of said first twosections and is foldable along the side of said taller section to form apanel having a triple wall thickness.
 7. An end panel for a bathtubwrapper as defined in claim 1 in which a plurality of tabs are connectedto the edge of one of said panels opposite the said hinge means, and arefoldable to form a cushion along the upper edge of said end wall forprotecting the upper marginal surface of the tub in the final wrapperstructure.
 8. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 3in which a tab is provided on the other of said sections along thecorresponding edge thereof for forming a double thickness cushion alongthe front of the tub.
 9. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as definedin claim 4 in which a tab is provided on the shorter of said sectionsalong the edge corresponding to the edge of the taller section on whichthe tab is located for forming a double thickness cushion along thefront of the tub.
 10. An end panel for a bathtub wrapper as defined inclaim 1 in which said sections are constructed of paperboard.
 11. An endpanel for a bathtub wrapper as defined in claim 1 in which openings areprovided in said panels for forming a hand slot in said end panel whenit is in its folded position.
 12. In a bathtub wrapper structure: a bodyportion with top, bottom and two side panels, an end panel in each endof said body portion comprising two sections of substantially the sizeof the openings at the end of the body portion, said sections beingjoined together in side-by-side relation and tabs on the ends of saidtop, bottom and side panels of the body portion extending over the edgeof the end panels and being secured thereto.
 13. A bathtub wrapper asdefined in claim 12 in which a reinforcing tab partially severed fromthe bottom and one side panel and extending inwardly therefrom forms anabutment for one corner at each of said end panels to prevent saidcorner from being pressed inwardly.
 14. A bathtub wrapper as defined inclaim 12 in which the inner section of each of said two end panels isshorter than the outer section and is adapted to engage a flange on thebathtub and give support to the tub in the wrapper.